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abjectwoe
May, 2025

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How do YOU detune YOUR edges?

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cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
In terms of underfoot, only.
Usually I hardcore round them off, as you may observe below (cross section):

Click for larger image

It always works really good, and since its the end result anyway, i always figured it was the best.
But with my new skis yesterday, I tried a tip from a trusted acquaintance, and filed a slight bevel, with a lightly rounded corner.
example;

Click for larger image

This didn't work as good as I had hoped, and my edges dragged down every rail, even the single pipe buttery smooth handrails. But I can't be 100% sure I followed his advice correctly, or even filed it perfect.

So, what do you fellows do? feel free to draw a MS paint-type picture if your feeling rambunctious.
i'm rounding mine off before i go riding tonight
13 years ago
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spinks
Posts: 1426 - Karma: 129
Click for larger image

What I have found is you want a round edge, however you want to maintain a longer base edge. The base edge should angle upwards at about a 15-25* bevel heading out to about 75% of the width of the edge. The outer-most 15% of the edge should have the aggressive curve to smooth out the transition from base edge to side edge. You want to keep as much base edge as possible to protect your sidewalls and the overall integrity of the edge.

Also, I find that you want to fade in the amount of angle. Use the distance from the front of the toe to the back of the toe and then again the front of the heel and back of the heel as reference points for these transitions. This way there is a smooth transition from sharp edges to rounded edges, reducing the chance of edge grab under foot.

Hope this makes sense.
13 years ago
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7293 - Karma: 18,716
^ good advice but 15-20 degree angle on the base edge is way to much. A good thing to try is get a 2degree base angle done, and then slightly round the edge off under foot. The 2 degree angle lets the edge be far enough off flat so that it wont catch but you still can have a sharp edge in the tip and tail if you want it.
13 years ago
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turntable
Posts: 2735 - Karma: 852
I just gummi stone underfoot and tips... And go for it
13 years ago
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danontario
Posts: 45 - Karma: 33
I take my ski to the machine belt sander and 45 off my edges under foot. needless to say they ride rails great but if I had a one ski quiver I'd die on ice.
13 years ago
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cubber
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 638
I started with probably around a 5 degree angle, and it was still not enough, but as mr. spinks said to do, i threw a curve on the last bit. I was pretty close to inside those blue lines spinks drew, I believe that's what you were meaning by those? they are the original bottom and side edges?

what I ended up with after another round with the file was probably a 15 degree bevel (off my protractor here of course) and the last bit rounded up, the curve finishing about a third of the way to the top.

kinda like this.. (or the 2nd pic i had in OP)

Click for larger image

I just got done riding and it worked great, a little sticky the first few hits, then butter all night!
13 years ago
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CDdesign
Posts: 1015 - Karma: 92
i take a diamond stone at 45* off the edge and just sand for a hot second.. i will then go to the mini park and take square rails really fast for a day to break em in...
this works great for me, however if you don't maintain the edges, they can become really sharp and jagged.
13 years ago
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spinks
Posts: 1426 - Karma: 129
^^ This is a great point. You want to constantly "polish" the edge underfoot to keep it clean of burrs that can cause hangup.

Keeping your edges clean and polished all the way down the length of the ski is also important. Best thing to do is grind a little off, polish and try it out. If it's not enough grind and round the edge a little more. Just be aware, you can always grind off but you cant put edge back if you go too far!
13 years ago
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kvan
Posts: 3086 - Karma: 1,232
true that!
13 years ago
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skiRay
Posts: 7558 - Karma: 926
just hit rails like a champ
13 years ago
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AMcT
Posts: 204 - Karma: 41
use one of those sand paper block things and go to everything under and between bindings until I am satisfied (which usually means it feels dull nothing to scientific).
13 years ago
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Lucas
Posts: 4882 - Karma: 1,597
I take a file to the edge and rub
13 years ago
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